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The County Chat

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The County Chat is a show based around all things English cricket. With a focus on the County Championship, the premiere English cricket competition. As historic counties face up against each other, in a slice of a retro England as the counties face off to see who's the best of that year. The County Chat breaks down the teams, the storylines and discussion around England cricket, with future episodes delving into what can make this competition better known and followed, as well as becoming a better proving ground for future England cricketers.

  • 45 episodes
  • Updated July 15

Episodes45

  • July 15 · 37 min

    The Death of Bazball - Brendon McCullum fired as England test coach

    Brendon McCullum has been fired as England test head coach, a podcast in review of 'Bazball' and a look to the future of English test cricket. What will English cricket do following the dramatic era of Bazball? What direction will England Cricket take in terms of his replacement but also the future of the test team more broadly? Chapters McCullum fired - initial thoughts 00:00-1:45 Should McCullum and Key gone post Ashes? Will Baz's successor play 'aggressive' cricket 1:45-11:20 Richard Gould's interview and the strange timing of it 11:20-18:20 How will Bazball be remembered? And what were its strengths & weaknesses? 18:20-23:39 Why Baz keeping the white ball job makes sense 23:39-27:06 Richard Gould and Rob Key a lucky pair to keep their jobs? 27:06-31:55 Who will replace McCullum? And what that will mean for the captaincy and where Bethell might bat 31:55-36:46 Outro and go check out The Sports Badger's video series about England test cricket! 36:46-37:42 Watch the Sport's Badger test match cricket video series!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlT8UewEXX0&list=PLp37-fb6JMqCml66FgwutOxXfMU8SET3Z&pp=0gcJCe4COCosWNin

  • July 1 · 37 min

    Ben Stokes shock retirement and England lose to New Zealand

    The County Chat talks all things about the seismic England cricket news, that Ben Stokes has just retired. The circumstance and drama surrounding it, leaves plenty to discuss and further where does it leave England's test cricket team at present. Chapters Intro 00:00-04:02 The strange timings to Stokes' retirement and the consequences of it 04:02-07:56 Clear evidence of a total fall out between Stokes, Key and McCullum? And who's to blame? 07:56-11:38 How Stokes' retirement has distracted from how poor this England team has been 11:38-16:52 The future of England test match captaincy and the clear lack of options 16:52-28:23 What will be the makeup of England's test match team post Stokes? 28:23-34:55 Final thoughts and outro 34:55-37:17

  • June 26 · 33 min

    The County Chat - County Championship division 1 Update show (Weeks 7&8)

    The county cricket update show returns, for weeks 7&8 catch up on all the latest in the county championship division 1! With news, match round ups, standout teams and players and the County Chat XII! Chapters Intro 00:00-00:44 General News 00:44-05:32 Results Roundup 05:32-12:27 Standout team in Division 1 12:27-14:26 Standout players inn Division 1 14:26-19:52 The County Chat XII 19:52-32:45 Final thoughts and outro 32:45-33:22

  • June 12 · 30 min

    England Cricket a drinking culture crisis?

    A full review of the 1st test of the England summer, and all the drama that has surrounded the days following it. As Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson, despite a 12pm curfew imposed, were involved in an incident in the early hours of the morning including a Saracens rugby player. This pod is a full discussion into everything this represents for the English cricket team, following a poor 18 months prior. Chapters Intro and updates 00:00-02:31 1st test recap 02:31-07:27 Does England cricket have a drinking culture? 07:27-17:40 England's test match captaincy future 17:40-23:31 How this all is indicative of England cricket's laissez faire approach 23:31-27:04 Total round up of the situation 27:04-30:09 Go check out the Sports Badger: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSportsBadger

  • May 21 · 28 min

    The County Chat - County Championship division 2 - Update show (Weeks 5&6)

    The county cricket update show returns, for weeks 5&6 catch up on all the latest in the county championship division 2! With news, match round ups, standout teams and players and the County Chat XII! Chapters Intro 00:00-00:49 County Championship news 00:49-03:55 Results roundup 03:55-08:58 Standout team for Division 2 in recent weeks 08:58-12:07 Standout players for Division 2 in recent weeks 12:07-18:01 County Chat XII 18:01-27:09 Final Thoughts and Outro 27:09-28:12

  • May 20 · 34 min

    The County Chat - County Championship division 1 Update show (Weeks 5&6)

    The county cricket update show returns, for weeks 5&6 catch up on all the latest in the county championship division 1! With news, match round ups, standout teams and players and the County Chat XII! Chapters Intro 00:00-00:51 County Championship news 00:51-09:20 Standout team in division 1 09:20-11:51 Results roundup 11:51-17:15 Standout players in division 1 17:15-23:26 The County Chat XII 23:26-33:40 Final thoughts and outro 33:40-34:33

  • May 14 · 32 min

    England's test squad has been announced - is it more of the same? Or has a new era been reached?

    With Marcus North confirmed in his head selector role, the England test match squad has been announced for the 1st test against New Zealand this summer. We discuss if this is a change in the right direction? Or if it is just more of the same from the Bazball brigade? Key talking points of players who have come and gone and what this means for this summer. Chapters Intro and squad list 00:00-01:04 Initial thoughts and the big changes 01:04-04:05 What this squad signifies in relation to the 'new bazball' 04:05-11:50 What I'd change in the squad 11:50-14:59 This test match squads - 2026 county champ stats 14:59-28:57 Final thoughts and outro 28:57-32:03

  • April 30 · 33 min

    The County Chat - County Championship division 2 Update show (Weeks 3&4)

    A look into the major talking points from the last two week of County Championship division 2 action. Chapters Intro 00:00-00:46 County Championship news 00:46-10:01 Results Roundup 10:01-16:45 Standout team for game week 3 and 4 16:45-19:34 Standout players for game week 3 and 4 19:34-23:57 The County Chat XII 23:57-32:05 Final Thoughts and outro 32:05-33:09

  • April 28 · 29 min

    The County Chat - County Championship division 1 Update show (Weeks 3&4)

    The County Chat update show returns, talking about all the major talking points from the last two weeks of action! News from the past few weeks, standout teams and players and much more! Chapters Intro 00:00-00:31 County Championship news 00:31-09:10 Results roundup 09:10-12:50 Standout team in game week 3 and 4 12:50-14:33 Standout players for game week 3 and 4 14:33-18:27 The County Chat XII 18:27-28:38 Final thoughts and outro 28:38-29:28

  • April 17 · 33 min

    The County Chat - County Championship division 2 Update show (Weeks 1 and 2)

    The first two weeks of the County Championship are in the books, we discuss all that happened and the standout players from Division 2 in that time. The County Chat dissects the first two weeks play, to see if any trends have appeared and picking out the best players from the start of the season.Chapters Intro 00:00-01:8 Results round up 01:18-09:30 Standout team in game week 1 and 2 09:30-11:55 County championship news 11:55-17:25 Standout players for game week 1 and 2 17:25-23:07 The County Chat XII(I) 23:07-32:02 Final thoughts and outro 32:02-33:15

  • April 15 · 39 min

    The County Chat - County Championship division 1 Update show (Weeks 1 and 2)

    The first two weeks of the County Championship are in the books, we discuss all that happened and the standout players from Division 1 in that time. The County Chat dissects the first two weeks play, to see if any trends have appeared and picking out the best players from the start of the season. ChaptersIntro 00:00-01:29 Results round up 01:29-09:25 County championship news 09:25-17:08 Standout team in game week 1 and 2 17:08-20:04 Standout players for game week 1 and 2 20:04-27:18 The County Chat XII 27:18-38:20 Outro 38:20-39:11

  • April 3 · 31 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 18 - Nottinghamshire

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. Nottinghamshire were those winners of division 1 in 2025, their first title since 2010. The outlaws were superb with both bat and ball throughout the season, and toppled a great Surrey side to secure the title, but can they repeat that feat in 2026? Chapters Intro 00:00-01:38 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:38-13:48 Standout player from 2025 and potential star performer for 2026 13:48-19:33 A look back at Nottinghamshire 2025 statistics 19:33-25:55 Predicted first day XI and predicted finish in 2026 25:55-30:18 Final thoughts and outro 30:18-31:23

  • April 2 · 34 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 17 - Surrey

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. Surrey narrowly fell short of a rare feat of a quin-peat of the county championship in 2025, with arguably the deepest and strongest squad in the country, the Oval based county will be looking to win another county championship and solidify their dominance of the County Championship in the 2020s. Chapters Intro 00:00-01:08 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:08-14:25 Standout player from 2025 and potential star performer for 2026 14:25-20:20 A look back at Surrey’s 2025 statistics 20:20-26:48 Predicted first day XI and predicted finish in 2026 26:48-33:11 Final thoughts and outro 33:11-34:18

  • April 1 · 31 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 16 - Somerset

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. Somerset finished in 3rd place last year, not in the title race but also away from the mid-table. Will the south-west county join the title fray or slide down the table in 2026? Chapters Intro 00:00-01:05 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:05-15:17 Standout player from 2025 and potential star performer for 2026 15:17-19:35 A look back at Somerset’s 2025 statistics 19:35-25:04 Predicted first day XI and predicted finish in 2026 25:04-30:04 Final thoughts and outro 30:04-31:09

  • March 31 · 36 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 15 - Sussex

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. Sussex had an altogether successful season during 2025, following promotion in 2024 the club established themselves in the first division with a 4th placed finish. After a tumultuous winter whereby the club was bailed out by the ECB, and an announcement of a new captain in 2026, can Sussex keep the positive momentum from the last few years? Chapters Intro 00:00-01:47 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:47-20:15 Standout player from 2025 and potential star performer from 2026 20:15-24:45 A look back at Sussex’s 2025 statistics 24:45-28:50 Predicted first day XI and predicted finish in 2026 28:50-34:54 Final thoughts and outro 34:54-36:26

  • March 29 · 34 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 14 - Warwickshire

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. The bears had a 'mid' year having finished 5th, they were a side who struggled to win many matches, but also didn't lose too many. With some new signings and a returning club legend, Warwickshire might be looking up not down in 2026.The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. The bears had a 'mid' year having finished 5th, they were a side who struggled to win many matches, but also didn't lose too many. With some new signings and a returning club legend, Warwickshire might be looking up not down in 2026. Chapters Intro 00:00-00:50 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 00:50-17:37 Standout player from 2025 and potential star performer from 2026 17:37-21:58 A look back at Warwickshire's 2025 statistics 21:58-28:16 Predicted first day XI and predicted finish in 2026 28:16-32:25 Final thoughts and outro 32:25-34:06

  • March 28 · 31 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 13 - Essex

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. Essex flirted with relegation danger before a superb finish to the season left them mid-table. With a well stacked team for 2026, and excellent overseas signed for the year, Essex will hope to return to title contention. Chapters Intro 00:00-01:15 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:15-14:05 Standout player for 2025 and potential star performer for 2026 14:05-19:51 A look back at Essex's 2025 statistics 19:51-25:29 Predicted first day XI and predicted finish in 2026 25:29-29:22 Final thoughts and outro 29:22-31:22

  • March 27 · 31 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 12 - Yorkshire

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. After a heroic victory on the last day to stay up in 2025, the white rose county will look to solidify their place in division 1 more in 2026. Chapters Intro 00:00-01:00 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:00-12:09 Standout player for 2025 and potential star performer for 2026 12:09-18:05 A look back at Yorkshire's 2025 statistics 18:05-25:44 Potential first day XI/ 2026 predicted finish 25:44-30:22 Final thoughts and outro 30:22-31:46

  • March 26 · 32 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 11 - Hampshire

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. Hampshire having narrowly avoided relegation in 2025 Hampshire will hope not to be on the verge in 2026, Hampshire will need their highly touted youngsters to start dominating this year. Chapters Intro 00:00-01:09 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:09-14:06 Standout player for 2025 and potential star performer for 2026 14:06-19:25 A look back at Hampshire’s 2025 statistics 19:25-24:31 Potential first day XI/ 2026 predicted finish 24:31-30:06 Final thoughts and outro 30:06-32:09

  • March 25 · 33 min

    2026 County Championship Season Previews. Episode 10 - Leicestershire

    The County Chat previews all the county teams for the upcoming season, starting from last place finishers in division 2 all the way through to the division 1 winners from 2025. Leicestershire, following a dominant title winning campaign in 2025 the foxes will be looking to make the move to division 1 stick. Chapters Intro 00:00-01:30 Team overlook for 2026 and a look back at 2025 01:30-15:13 Standout player for 2025 and potential star performer for 2026 15:13-20:18 A look back at Leicestershire’s 2025 statistics 20:18-27:20 Leicestershire vs Glamorgan two opposite ways to get promotion 27:20-28:30 Potential first day XI/ 2026 predicted finish 28:30-31:50 Final thoughts and outro 31:50-33:53